http://www.sweethomefuneral.com/memorials/2009/01/20090113-Ratter-Robert/index.html

A link to another article.

Robert R. Ratter
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Oregonian
A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, in Sweet Home Evangelical Church for Robert R. "Bob" Ratter, who died Jan. 13 at age 66.

Robert R. Ratter was born March 12, 1942, in Portland. He graduated from Madison High School and served in the Army. He moved in 1989 to Sweet Home, where he was a broadcaster and owned KFIR Radio in Sweet Home and KLLU in Reedsport. In 1964, he married Bettie Sue Reeves.

Survivors include his wife; daughter, Tamara Furst; sons, Richard and Dennis; sisters, Betty Schilling and Carol Loesel; and five grandchildren.



Remembrances to the Sweet Home Fire & Ambulance District. Arrangements by Sweet Home Funeral.

According to a 1992 OAB listing Bob Ratter was General Manager of KFIR. The 1996 Broadcasting Yearbook lists him as G.M., G.S.M & P.D. of KFIR. Galaxy Broadcasting Corp. purchased KFIR on February 1, 1987 so I'm not sure he was part of that ownership. KFIR was purchased by Shae Enterprises, Inc. on June 1, 1997. Bob continued with his KFIR title positions. This is probably was when he owned the station. Bob sold KFIR on April 13, 2007.

Bob also operated 107.1 KSKD "Cascade 107" (automated AC format) which flipped to K-Love, shortly after the big signal upgrade in 1992.

If I'm not mistaken, Bob, using the air name of Bob Hunt, hosted evenings at KAST in the '60's. I heard he later went to Pendleton, in part because he preferred playing country music to his Top-40 gig at KAST. He was a really talented guy.

Just heard from Harry Girtman via E-Mail that Bob also was a KGAY salesman.

Did Cascade 107 play one of the Drake-Chenault automated formats -- either Hit Parade or Solid Gold? If so, approximately which years?

Bruce sent me this:

Craig---Bob was at KGAY in the early 70s. I started there in 1971, and I know that he was there before that. He was the Sales Manager. I believe he stayed there until the late 70s. But I am not sure what year he left.

Bruce Bjorkman

When I first met Bob it was in the mid 70's and my perception was that he was GM already of KGAY. Loved his 50's style haircut. He was in Central Oregon for a while and then showed up in the Valley til I met him again at an OAB function in Eugene in 03. Heard he had health problems for years but still looked good. He was an all radio man for sure...loved the profession.